with russia arming assad, rebel leaders threatened to boycott a team meeting with kerry later this week to protest the u.s. and europe's refusal to arm them. >> at this stage, isn't it time to revisit that policy? >> with a new secretary of state at a beginning moment of the second term of president obama, when he himself has expressed concerns about it, this moment is ripe for us to be considering what more we can do. >> reporter: as a senator, kerry said military aid should be considered. and hillary clinton and leon panetta both recommended arming and training some rebel units. but president obama rejected that proposal last year. fearing weapons would get into the hands of al qaeda supporters. but today, facing rebel pressure, kerry hinted at a policy shift. >> we are determined that the syrian opposition is not going to be dangling in the wind, wondering where the support is or if it's coming. >> reporter: before leaving london, kerry called a key opposition leader and talked him into showing up for the meeting in rome later this week. today proof that nothing is going to be easy,